Manuel earns spot on Phillies Wall of Fame

Shortly after accepting a job to remain in the organization, Charlie Manuel will further cement his place in Phillies history with a plaque on the Wall of Fame, the team announced Tuesday. Manuel was manager of the Phillies for nine seasons before being fired last August.

The induction date is set for Aug. 9, a Saturday in the middle of a series with the Mets. That weekend will also be Alumni Weekend, which includes Alumni Day on Sunday (Aug. 10) and Roy Halladay bobblehead night on Friday (Aug. 9).

Manuel will be the 36th member of the Phillies to have a spot on the Wall of Fame, and the 61st overall including members of the Philadelphia Athletics. Notable members include former manager and recently-hired bench coach Larry Bowa, first-base coach Juan Samuel and the only other Phillies manager to win a World Series, Dallas Green. Former Phillies catcher Mike Lieberthal joined the group last season.

“I am honored to be enshrined on the Wall of Fame with Phillies greats such as Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton and, of course, my good friend, Dallas Green. I want to thank David Montgomery and the entire Phillies organization. This would not be happening if not for the great players and coaches I had around me,” Manuel said in a statement. “The years I spent in Philadelphia were some of the best of my professional career and I owe a lot of that to the fans. I have said this before, but they are the best in the game.”

Manuel’s inclusion on the Wall of Fame has been a foregone conclusion. The 70-year-old is the best manager in franchise history, leading the Phillies to a World Series title, two National League pennants and five straight National League East division titles in his nine years at the helm. After his firing Aug. 16, Manuel weighed an offer to return to the organization for six months, finally accepting a role as senior adviser to general manager Ruben Amaro on Jan. 17.

Manuel will work with minor-league hitters and assist with scouting in his new gig.

• Heyward, Freeman agree to contracts

The Atlanta Braves have agreed to eight-year deal with first baseman Freddie Freeman that is worth about $125 million.

The Braves haven’t announced the deal, which is subject to a successful physical.

Earlier in the day, outfielder Jason Heyward and the Braves agreed to a $13.3 million, two-year contract. Heyward and Freeman had filed for salary arbitration last month.

Freeman, 24, was an All-Star last year, when he hit .319 with 23 homers and 109 RBIs. He matched his career high in home runs and set highs in batting average and RBIs. He has topped 20 home runs in three straight seasons.

Heyward hit .254 with 14 homers and 38 RBIs in a career-low 104 games during his fourth season with the Braves.